KRIS-uh-lis
/ˈkɹɪsəlɪs/
Chrysalis is pronounced KRIS-uh-lis (/ˈkɹɪsəlɪs/). Chrysalis is the developmental stage in which a butterfly or moth forms inside a protective chrysalis or pupa. It is a transitional, non-feeding phase that precedes emergence as an adult. The term often denotes transformation or potential metamorphosis in a broader metaphorical sense as well.
nounChrysalis is the developmental stage in which a butterfly or moth forms inside a protective chrysalis or pupa. It is a transitional, non-feeding phase that precedes emergence as an adult. The term often denotes transformation or potential metamorphosis in a broader metaphorical sense as well.
"During the caterpillar’s chrysalis, its tissues are broken down and reorganized into adult structures."
"She viewed starting a new career as a chrysalis period, waiting to emerge with refreshed purpose."
"The film used the chrysalis metaphor to illustrate personal growth and change."
Pronounce as KRIS-uh-lis, with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU ˈkrɪsəˌlɪs (some speakers reduce the second syllable to -liss). The first vowel is a short i as in kit; the ending -alis is commonly pronounced -uh-lis or -əlɪs depending on speaker. A practical cue: say 'KRIS' + 'uh' + 'lis' quickly, keeping the middle vowel relaxed and short.
Common errors: 1) stressing the second syllable (KRIS-uh-LIS instead of KRIS-uh-lis); 2) mispronouncing the middle vowel as a long /iː/ or a schwa-less form; 3) rendering the final -lis as /lɪs/ instead of a reduced /lɪs/ or /ləs/. Correction: keep CRIS as a closed syllable with short i, insert a light «uh» in the second syllable, and end with a crisp, short «lis» while preserving the final /s/. Practice with slow repeats and record yourself.
US: /ˈkrɪsəˌlɪs/, more pronounced second syllable with a lighter schwa. UK: /ˈkrɪzəˌlɪs/ or /ˈkrɪsəlɪs/, with slightly closer front vowel in the second syllable. AU: typically /ˈkrɪsəˌlɪs/ similar to US, but with a more centralized vowel in some regions. Across accents, the key differences lie in vowel quality and syllable blending; rhotics are not essential here as the word is non-rhotic in most varieties, with subtle variance in the second syllable vowel quality.
Challenges include the cluster i + s + vowel transition: you move quickly from /ɪ/ to /sə/ and then to /lɪs/, which can lead to a mis-timed stress and a drawn-out middle vowel. The second syllable often reduces to a weak schwa; many speakers unconsciously insert an extra vowel or elongate the second syllable. Focus on keeping a crisp first syllable, a short, reduced middle, and a clean final -lis.
The word contains a post-stress secondary hint of a reduced vowel in the second syllable and a final /s/ that should be unaspirated. The stress pattern is tertiary-stressed, with the primary stress on the first syllable. Be mindful of the /ə/ in the middle and avoid turning it into /ɪ/ or /iː/. IPA cues: /ˈkrɪsəˌlɪs/ with a light, quick middle syllable and a crisp final /s/.
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Chrysalis comes from the Latin chrysalis, borrowed from the Greek chrysalis (khrusalis), meaning ‘gold ring’ or ‘golden chrysalis.’ The term entered English in the 17th century in contexts describing the pupal stage of insects, notably butterflies and moths. Its Greek root chrys-(gold) reflects the ancient tendency to describe the chrysalis with bright, often metallic imagery in ancient and medieval natural histories. Over time, chrysalis broadened in metaphor to denote a transformative state or period of incubation implying latent potential. The earliest known English usage dates from the 1600s, aligning with natural history descriptions that gained popularity during the scientific explorations of the Renaissance and Enlightenment, when scholars standardized terms for insect life cycles and metamorphosis. Modern usage maintains both the literal biological sense and its extended metaphorical sense across literature, education, and psychology.” ,
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Words that rhyme with "Chrysalis"
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